DENTISTRY AND MEDICINE

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22805, 2 September 1939, Page 9

DENTISTRY AND MEDICINE

NATIONALISATION SUPPORTED VIEWS OF DR. N. K. COX PREVENTIVE TREATMENT . URGED The nationalisation of both dental and medical practice was strongly supported in an interview with “The Press” yesterday by Dr. N. K. Cox, who drew up the scheme for the school dental service in 1917 along lines which he first suggested in 1913. Dr. Cox, who is a past presi* ,dent of the New Zealand Dental Association, is also on the medical register* His views were expressed when he was asked to comment on the statement on the prevention of dental disease by the president of the New Zealand Dental Association and associate professor of , dentistry in the University of Otago (Professor J. R. Burt), which was published in “The Press” on Monday. “I have now retired from practice, and I can talk,” said Dr. Cox, in reply to questions by a reporter. “But I want you to make it quite clear that I am not speaking on behalf of the Dental Association. These are my private views.” He then gave the reporter the following statement which he had prepared. “Professor Burt’s argument that the problem of dental decay is a sociological and civic one is quite true. The only method of satisfactorily carrying out the findings of research would be to inaugurate a regimentation of the young. It would seem that the syllabus of the schools will have to allow for an extension of time for health purposes. Sociological Aspect “One aspect of:dental decay that has. been for the last 50 years lost sight of is that of heredity. Years ago heredity and environment were rated at 50-50 as being concerned in the cause of weakened resistance to decay. As everyone knows, genetics is well provided for in the Government stock department. Fifty years ago there was a New Zealand Eugenics Society, but it became defunct after a few years. There is no doubt that in the finalised state of prevention procedure this Item will have to be provided for. “The order of prevention thus becomes, as measured In periods, as follows:—Eugenic,' pre-natal, natal, infantile, and adult. Neglect of any of these periods will naturally impair the results of treatment. “The sociological and civic aspects of the health problem, in a democratic country, are full of ramifications and somewhat burdensome obstacles. A dash of totalitarianism, or even of authoritarianism, would greatly simplify the problem.. , “In the meantime the New Zealand Dental Association will. I take it, adopt a publicity .campaign to inform and educate the public on all matters pertaining to'dental decay. 1 r' ' . ■- - ■ vWJhi,’.;- * “Wonderful Results” "The work being done by Professor Burt, of the dental school in Dunedin, has produced some wonderful results. The children selected for treatment have practically become immune to dental decay: and even in cases where tfcrere are cavities in the teetti, decay .135 DCen Stopped. He is working on what is known as the Sim Wallace treatment, which so far is standing the test of time and of results. “To adapt this system to the whole of the juvenile population will, of course, require a considerable amount of spade work, and it will not be accomplished in a day. It is hardly necessary to point out the loss in time and money, owing to the extraordinarily high percentage of this disease in the working people of to-day. “All. this will mean.eventually a revision of the system of dental practice. A large staff of specialised dentists will have to be trained, as every individual at any age, would have to be examined and treated - annually or biennially. “I think that it can safely be said that the dental profession to-day is much more hopeful of achieving suecess in the prevention of decay, always presupposing the interest and help of the public, and the practical administration and execution of the Government.” ' ;

Discussing his views with the reporter, Dr. Cox said that alter nearly 25 years of operation of the school dental service this country was very little further ahead. “The only way to tackle the problem is to deal with the nfew generation,” he said. “Both the medical and the dental professions should work, at the cradle end and not at the morgue end. There is too much tendency to work at the morgue end, with knowledge of how to cure and how to operate rather than how to prevent disease.” . . * Dr. Cox said-that on many occasions he had made ■ representations to the Health Department on the need for promoting the study of prevention of dental disease. . “We have been talking for the last 50 years,” he said. “But it. must be recognised that neither the laity nor the profession is ready for a change; We must begin with the new generation.” Conservatism Criticised ' “Do you think that the dental and medical professions should be nationalised?” he was. asked. “There is no question about that,” he said. “It would be much better if the professions were nationalised. It would improve efficiency and make for better , team work. It is recognised that work of a very high quality is performed by the dental nurses under the State service. Under a State service if a man does bad work he has to go. “Seclusiveness is the mistake made by the medical and dental professions. There is not enough interchange of ideas among members of the profession nor enough consultation with educationists. The result is that the outlook is not broad enough. There is no doubt that the British Medical Association is the most conservative body in the world.” Dr. Cox also expressed criticism of the restriction against doctors using their names in - talks and articles. He considered that this stood in the way of gaining wider public Interest in medical and dental matters.